Stretcher for use in drying and preventing shrinkage of garments



J. A. KEEL ,743,355

STRETQHER FOR USE IN DRYING AND PREVENTING SHRINKAGE OF GARMENTS Jan. 14, 1930.

Filed July 26,1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 14, 1930. KEEL 1,743,355

STRETCHER FOR USE IN DRYING AND PREVENTING SHRINKAGE 0F GARMENTS Filed July 26, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gwventoz 2' Jilieel Patented Jan. 14, 1930 UNrran STATES r oF-FIcE f JAMES ARTHUR KEEL, OF GREENFIELD, TENNESSEE Application filed July 26,

This invention relates to a garment stretcher and more particularly to a device for stretching garments either to prevent shrinkage thereof or to slightly enlarge the size thereof, and has for an important objectthereof the provision of a device of this character intended particularly for womens dresses which is so constructed that the dress may be readily applied thereto and may be held in fully extended condition during a stretching process.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is extremely simple and durable in its construction and which may be very readily adjusted for use in connection with dresses of different sizes.

A still further object of the invention is to produce a device of this character which may be employed in stretching dresses of different lengths and tapers.

These and other objects I attain by the construction shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein Figure 1 is an elevation of a dress stretcher constructed in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is a section on the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a Figure 1 Figure 6 is a Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view showing the manner of connecting the lower end of the garment to the lower cross bar.-

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates an upper cross bar or shoulder form which is shaped to conform to the usual shaping of garments at the shoulders and neck thereof. This form is provided with removable end sections 11 permitting shortening section on the line 33 of section on the line 14 of 35 on the line 55 of section section on the line 66 of section on the line 77 of 1928. Serial No. 295,549.

thereof for use with very small dresses. Extending downwardly from the form adjacent the ends thereof are braces 12 which are arranged in pairs secured to opposite faces of the form and eachpair of braces has pivoted therebetween an arcuate or cam lever 13. Corresponding braces of the pairs are preferably connected by transverse braces 14 to thereby provide a rigid mounting for the levers from the shoulder form. Directed through the shoulder form. is an adjusting screw 15 having at its upper end a handle 16 whereby it may be rotated. This screw extends through a nut 17 carried by the shoul der form and at its lower end has a swivel connection at 18 with a yoke 19 to which are connected the inner ends of links 20, the outer ends of which arepivotally connected to the lower ends of the levers 13.

The numeral 21 generally designates a cross bar having reverted edge portions 22 and having in its center an opening for the passage of the adjusting screw 15.

Telescopically engaged with the ends of this cross bar are rods 23, the outer ends of which downturned flanges 24 between which 7 are pivoted vertical bars 25 which are preferably each prdovided with a longitudinal scale 26 graduated in inches, the purpose of which will presently appear.

Surrounding the adjusting screw interiorly of the cross bar 21 is a ring 27 to which is secured the inner ends of springs 28, the outer ends of which are secured to the bars '28 so that these bars are normally drawn inwardly and the vertical bars 25 are maintained with their inner faces in engagement with the levers 13. These inner faces may be protected by wear plates, indicated at 29. Beneath the lower ends of the levers, the vertical bars are preferably connected by a second spring 30. v

Adj acent'their lower ends, the vertical bars 25 are connected by a lower cross bar, generally designated at 31, this cross bar comprising a pair of U-shaped elements 32, each straddling one of the vertical bars 25 and each having at the ends of the legs thereof yokes 33 slidably receiving the legs of the other member. Each U-shaped member has 190 further associated therewith a yoke 34 slidably receiving the associated vertical member 25 and pivoted to this yoke is a pawl 35 having a dentate face 36 to engage the inner face of the Vertical member and secure the yoke and the associated end of the cross bar 31 in adjusted positions. Each yoke preferably has at its outer face a rigidearor thumb rest 37 adapted to be engaged simultaneously with the tail piece 38 of the pawl to assistin the adjustment. It will be obvious that the cross bar 31 can be adjusted to any desired vertical height and will retain this position without regard to separation of the side members 25.

In order that the stretcher may be con veniently supported, I provide a stand 39including a cross bar 40 having a slot 41 to receive and fit the lower ends of the bars 25. The bottom wall'of this slot may be provided with transverse notches 42 adapted to receive pins 43 projecting from the lower end of the vertical bars.

Inthe use of the device, the dress to be stretched is slipped over the shoulder form untilthe shoulders engage with this form and the lower end of the dress is secured to the cross bar by means of clothes pins P or other suitable fasteners which may be of any desired type. The hand lever 16 is then rotated and through the screw -15 and links 20, the levers are rotated, forcing the vertical members 25 outwardly so that these bars will come into engagement with the dress and transversely stretch the same. It will be obvious that since these levers engage the bars 25 below the pivotalmountings thereof, they will serve to force these bars outwardly at their upper ends, so that they will fit the dress and properly stretch the same to the desired width through the bust, or arm pit to arm pit measure. After the bust or arm pit-measure has been obtained, then the waist and body of dress may be stretched to the desired width by raising one of the vertical bars 25 and sliding outwardly in stand 39 to the desired width.

Since the construction employed is capa ble of a certain range of change and modification without materially departing from the spirit of the invention, I do not limit myself to such specific structure except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim 1. In a garment stretcher, a shoulder form shaped to receive the neck and shoulders of a garment, bars to interiorly engage opposite sides of the garment, an extensible connection between the upper ends of the bars to which the upper ends of the bars are pivoted, means for urging the bars apart engaging the bars below the upper ends thereof, extensible means connecting the bars adjacent the lower end thereof and vertically adjustable upon the bars and means carried by said extensible means for clampingl'y securing the lower portion of a garment thereto.

2. In a garment stretcher, a shoulder form shaped to receive the neck and shoulders of a 'arment bars to interiorl en a e 03 .osite of pivoted cam levers supported from the shoulder form and engagingthe inner'faces of the bars below the upper ends thereof, and means carried by the shoulder form and operatively connected to the cam levers for oscillating said levers.

3. In a garment stretcher, a shoulder form shaped to receive the neck and shoulders of a garment, bars to interiorly engage opposite sides of th'egarment, an extensible connection between the upper ends of the bars to which the upper ends of the bars are pivoted, a pair of pivoted cam levers supported from the shoulder form and engaging the inner faces of the bars below the upper ends thereof,

means carried by the shoulder form and opermeans carried by the shoulder form and operatively connected to the cam levers for oscillating said levers, and extensible means connecting the bars adjacent the lower end thereof and vertically adjustable upon the bars. 7

5. In a garment stretcher, a shoulder form Shaped to receive the neck'and shoulders of a garment, bars to interiorly engage opposite sides of the garment, an extensible connection between the upper ends of the bars to" which the upper ends of the barsv are pivoted, a pair of pivoted cam levers supported from the shoulder form and engaging the inner faces of the bars below the upper endsthereof, means carried by the shoulder form and operatively connected to the cam levers for oscillating said levers, spring means urging the'bars toward one another, and extensible means connectlng the bars ad acent the lower end thereof and vertically adjustable upon the bars. 7 V

6. In a garment stretcher, a shoulder form shaped to receive the neck and shoulders of a garment, bars to interiorly engage opposite sides of the garment, an extensible connection between the upper ends of the bars to which the upper ends of the bars are pivoted, a pair of cam levers pivotally supported from the shoulder form and each having an end thereof engaging the inner face of one of said bars, a rod threaded through the shoulder form, and a pair of links having swiveled connection with the lower end of the rod at their inner ends and at their opposite ends pivotally connected with the other ends of the levers.

7 In a garment stretcher, a shoulder form shaped to receive the neck and shoulders of a garment, bars to interiorly engage opposite sides of the garment, an extensible connection between the upper ends of the bars to which the upper ends of the bars are pivoted, a pair of cam levers pivotally supported from the shoulder form and each having an end thereof engaging the inner face of one of said bars, a rod threaded through the shoulder form, a pair of links having swiveled connection with the lower end of the rod at their inner ends and at their opposite ends pivotally connected with the other ends of the levers, and spring means connecting the bars above and below the levers.

8. In a garment stretcher, a shoulder form shaped to receive the neck and shoulders of a garment, bars to interiorly engage opposite sides of the garment, an extensible connection between the upper ends of the bars to which the upper ends of the bars are pivoted, a pair of pivoted cam levers supported from the shoulder form and engaging the inner faces of the bars below the upper ends thereof, means carried by the shoulder f0rm and operatively connected to the cam levers for oscillating said levers, and spring means for urging the bars toward one another including springs disposed above and below said levers.

9. In a garment stretcher, a shoulder form shaped to receive the neck and shoulders of a garment, bars to interiorly engage opposite sides of the garment, an extensible connection between the upper ends of the bars to which the upper ends of the bars are pivoted, means for urging the bars apart engaging the bars below the upper ends thereof, the extensible connection between the upper ends of the bars including central and end sections, the bars being pivoted to the end sections, the central section being secured at its ends to said shoulder form.

In testimony whereof I hereunto alfix my signature.

JAMES ARTHUR KEEL. 

